A carved zitan brush pot, bitong. Ming Dynasty
The cylindrical body carved from a single wood section with a continuous scene of an idealised landscape with mountains, temples, waterways, and people engaged in various activities, punctuated throughout with ancient trees, between raised bands round the mouth and foot, supported on three tab feet, the base made from a separate piece of wood, the material dark brown with some reddish-brown streaks. 15.3cm (6in) high. Estimate: HK$320,000 - 350,000, $41,000 - 45,000 - Unsold. ... [Lire la suite]

A carved rhinoceros horn figure of Li Bai. 17th Century
The sage poet well-carved in the round, seated in a relaxed posture with one hand resting on his knee and the other holding a wine cup, his hair gathered in a top-knot above his expressive face, his scholar's robe falling in folds and spreading out around him, an eight character inscription reading Jianwen er nian Zhang Sheng [yu] yong incised in a horizontal line across the figure's back. 3 1/2in (8.9cm) high Sold for HK$960,000
Footnote: Li Bai (701-762) is often... [Lire la suite]

Cabochon Sapphire ring
The cabochon sapphire to a mount engraved with scroll details, embellished with stepped calibré-cut sapphire shoulders, mounted in platinum. size 50. Estimate 225,000—325,000 CHF - Unsold.
Accompanied by SSEF report no. 42937 stating that the sapphire weighing approximately 15.00 carats, is of Kashmir origin, with no indications of heating.
NOTE: The world's finest and most sought after sapphires are those coming from the legendary mines of Kashmir. They were discovered by chance as a result of a... [Lire la suite]

School of Madrid, circa 1650, a vanitas still life with a skull, a violin, a pewter plate, a vase of flowers, a book and a small tortoiseshell inlaid cabinet with silver gilt wine cups and terracotta vases on top, arranged upon a table top draped with a carpet, together with a harp leaning against a chair, set before a draped curtain
oil on canvas. 108 by 164 cms.; 42 1/2 by 64 1/2 in. Estimate 100,000—150,000 GBP - Unsold.
PROVENANCE: In the collection of a Spanish noble family until the early 1990s.
... [Lire la suite]

Juan Correa de Vivar (Mascaraque, circa 1510 - 1566 Toledo), Christ on the road to calvary
oil on panel. 154.5 by 125 cm.; 61 by 49 1/4 in. Estimate 60,000—80,000 GBP - Lot Sold 193,250 GBP
PROVENANCE: Probably commissioned by the convent of San Martín de Valdeiglesias, near Toledo, in the 1550s;Duc d'Alcedo, Biarritz;Acquired by a descendant of the present owner in Biarritz circa 1918.
NOTE: This exceptional panel was painted by Juan Correa de Vivar in the early 1550s, and was probably commissioned by the Cistercian... [Lire la suite]